(Newser)
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The attack by al-Qaeda-linked militants al-Shabab yesterday at an upscale mall in Nairobi has now killed at least 59 people and wounded 175, Kenya's interior secretary said today. Multiple barrages of gunfire erupted this morning from inside the building where there is a hostage standoff with Islamic extremists nearly 24 hours after they attacked using grenades and assault rifles. "The priority is to save as many lives as possible," Joseph Lenku said, reassuring the families of hostages in the upscale Westgate mall. Kenyan forces have already rescued about 1,000 people, he said. Lenku said there are 10 to 15 attackers involved, and Kenyan forces have control of the security cameras inside the mall.

Former Kenyan PM Raila Odinga said officials couldn't determine the exact number of hostages inside the mall. "There are quite a number of people still being held hostage on the third floor and the basement area where the terrorists are still in charge," Odinga said. Kenyans and foreigners were among those confirmed dead, including French, Canadians, and Chinese. Daylight brought some good news, as Kenyan media reported that several people in hiding in the mall escaped to safety, suggesting that not everyone still inside is being held by al-Shabab. (Read more Kenya stories.)

Soldiers from the Kenya Defense Forces carry a wounded colleague, following the sound of explosions and gunfire, out of the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. Associated Press journalists... (Ben Curtis)

Soldiers from the Kenya Defense Forces carry a wounded colleague, following the sound of explosions and gunfire, out of the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. A barrage of gunfire... (Ben Curtis)

Just more media manipulaton of the Lefty LoFo Ignorants Zombie » Islamic Terror in Kenya? Not According to the BBC http://pjmedia.com/zombie/2013/09/21/islamic-terror-in-kenya-not-according-to-the-bbc/

Libris_Fidelis

Sep 22, 2013 2:35 PM CDT

I was amused by the photograph of all the onlookers massed near the mall.... "Hey.. they're having a gunfight with hand grenades... let's all rush over there to the mall and get in the way of the bullets for a first-hand look!"

heyyouyou

Sep 22, 2013 11:34 AM CDT

We always learn the hard way about Islamic Terrorists. Attack, Attack, is their motto.